Maya Clothing Brand Xe’il Belize Announces A New Collection

by Khaila Gentle

“To us, artisanal crafts are much more than beautiful pieces of work. They are sacred objects that go beyond a decorative element.” 

That was a part of the statement made by Maya clothing brand Xe’il Belize today upon announcing the newest addition to their collection of embroidered clothing and accessories.

Känän Tak’in or The Keeper of Money is a collection of clutches. The new collection features the elaborate embroidery design that the Maya clothing brand has been using for since their establishment in 2021.

Memory and Tradition Embroidered Into Every Piece

The name Xe’il means true to our roots – a fitting designation for the meaningful brand that utilizes traditional Mopan Maya embroidery techniques passed down for ages. Xokb’il Chuy, counted stitches, is the name given to the technique that turns geometry into art.

Xe’il Belize, created with the aid of Maya community organization SATIIM and the Caribbean Development Bank, positions Maya women as national artists. Through the brand, these women are innovating new designs and showcasing their creative products to a wider audience . The hand-stitched designs of Xe’il’s many collections feature motifs from traditional stories.

The Maya clothing brand’s designs also have elements of ‘bespoke ‘ fashion. They are constructed by hand from start to finish. And, they are made from high-quality fabric, sewn with extreme attention to detail. The time-consuming, hand-executed technique used is known as a ‘slow stitch’.

Introducing Känän Tak’in

The new collection of clutch purses by Xe’il features their signature elaborate embroidery designs. Motifs featured on the clutches include flowers, cohune leaves, and snakes. The exterior was fashioned out of canvas. On the front of the clutch, the name Xe’il stands out proudly. The wooden embellishment was made from handpicked rosewood scraps.

“This clutch showcases and celebrates the many skills and treasures that Southern Belize has to offer,” said the Maya clothing brand.

Other collections launched by Xe’il include a limited edition toddler collection, Tz’unu’un, and their premier collection, Yahtz’il. Local designer Ronelli Requena designed the premier collection after numerous consultations with the Maya women of Toledo District’s San Antonio Village. Requena also trained women within the village to sew Xe’il clothing: ready-to-wear items created with the conscious consumer in mind.

The Känän Tak’in will be readily available on the 14th of February. For ordering information, visit Xe’il’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/xe.ilbelize

All photos by Xe’il Belize unless otherwise stated. 

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